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The popular Slovak tourist region, the High Tatra Mountains, has been hit by the worst forest fire in recent history. The blaze began during hot weather at the end of July and burnt out over 230 hectares. The cost of the immediate damage has been estimated at 410,000 euros and the ecological damage is extensive.

A new journal analysing trends in politics, society and economy in Eastern and Central Europe has just been launched. Published in Hungary, it's called "The Analyst - Central and East European Review" and it's aimed at decision makers from the region between Russia and Western Europe. We spoke to the editor, Istvan Zalai:

Barely had people had time to come to terms with the recent bombings in London when a series of explosions rocked the Egyptian resort of Sharm al Sheikh, leaving scores dead. Radio Slovakia International's Katarina Richterova reports.

Slovenia suffers huge problems on its roads during the height of the summer season, with many tourists driving through the country on their way to destinations like Croatia. Long queues at border crossings are another problem. Radio Slovenia Interational's Ksenija Samardzija-Matul reports.

The French film star Gerard Depardieu is planning regular visits to Hungary. Locals are likely to see the great actor in the Badacsony Uplands, on the northern shore of Lake Balaton. But Depardieu won't be shooting a movie - he will be making wine at a vineyard he has bought in the area. Locals are hoping this association will boost tourism in the area. Radio Budapest's Agi Varga spoke to the tourist board manager László Oláh.

In the lead-up to France's referendum on the European Constitution, fears of cheap labour from the East were represented by the figure of a "Polish plumber", who could come and steal French jobs. The Polish Tourism Organisation has been trying to counter this perception by making the "plumber" the focus of a campaign aimed at attracting tourists to Poland. And now he's been joined by a "Polish nurse". Radio Polonia's Krystyna Kolosowska has more.

Prague's Strahov Stadium recently hosted a mass open-air meeting of the Czech Jehovah's Witnesses, where dozens of converts were introduced into the controversial religious order. The Czech Republic is among the most agnostic societies in the world, and the organisation remains small. Rob Cameron has the following report.

The latest attempts by bombers to bring fear to the heart of the British capital London have once again focused minds around Europe on the issue of terrorism. One of Hungary's most respected experts on the subject is Sebestyen Gorka, director of Budapest's Institute for Transitional Democracy and International Security; Hungarian Radio's Gyorgi Jakobi asked Mr Gorka if he thinks the latest terror attacks have really raised levels of fear or unease around the continent.

In the Czech Republic, President Vaclav Klaus caused controversy by suggesting there was a link between the terrorist attacks in London and multiculturalism. Describing multiculturalism as a "tragic mistake", Mr Klaus said the openness of the West to immigrants from other cultures had facilitated attacks by radical Islamists. For a response to those comments Rob Cameron spoke to Katerina Brezinova, programme director for the Prague Multicultural Centre.

It was 50 years ago that the Polish capital Warsaw received what many called a "non-returnable gift of friendship from the Soviet Union" - the city's Palace of Culture. But while at one time many of the capital's residents resented the presence of what is the country's tallest building, today it is seen by most as a perfect place for leisure and entertainment. Radio Polonia's Michal Kubicki reports from Warsaw.